New York Times vol. 7 no. 1991

THE ARMY IN UTAH.
Letter from an Army Officer not at all De-spendent
From the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser.
The following spicily written letter from an officer of the army of Utah, runs in a more cheerful vein than we had anticipated from the dolorous accounts reaching us less directly. It gives a better idea of the real condition of the army than many more elaborate accounts, simply because it is writ-ten to a dear friend, with an entire freedom of com ment on men and things. We are reluctantly compelled to suppress some remarks concerning Colonel ALEXANDER, which, as the letter was not intended for publication, might involve a betrayal of the author's confidence on our part. It is suf-ficient to say that the opinion prevails at Fort Bridger, as well as here, that had Colonel JOHN-STON held the command of the advance column, it would have wintered in Salt Lake City.
CAMP SCOTT, (near Fort Bridger,) U. T.,
Thursday, Dec. 10,1857.
I should not wonder if you should see in the pa-pers, before two months, letters calculated to pro-duce the impression that this Army is in a suffer-ing condition. Let me tell you beforehand that such is not the truth, and that the prospect is very flattering that it will not be the case; but that when the Winter campaign is over, we shall find ourselves in one respect, and only one, like Mr. CLAY'S slaves—"fat and sleek." The supply of clothing, so far as I can learn, was only deficient in two articles—shoes and stockings. But this de-fect has been cured by the Quartermaster's pur-chasing the stock of the suttler, and that of one or two merchant trains, now here, which were freight-ed with goods for the Salt Lake trade. Col. JOHN-STON has laid an embargo on these trains; so that the enemy is likely to suffer some inconvenience, as well as we, in consequence of his deviltry. You will probably also see it stated that we are on short "grub." This can hardly be consid-ered a true presentment. The flour element of the ration has been reduced five ounces (leaving the daily allowance to each soul, as also to every person without a soul, and entitled to subsistence, thirteen ounces,) but the beef component was at the same time raised eight ounces, the other items remaining as heretofore. This reminds me of a little matter it is as well to mention. We have had no salt for a month or more, so that as regards that item of the ration, "heretofore" must be con- sidered inapplicable. But most of us don't miss it much now. It is well enough, used in modera-tion, when we can get it; but not being able to get it, at this present, for a reasonable price, we have made up our minds that we can do without until we go in to Salt Lake City, which will be be-fore we can receive supplies from home. And we have also arrived at the conclusion that "to do without salt" is one of the things for which we cov-enanted when we undertook the expedition. Doubt-less the reopening of the campaign will find us fresh and vigorous. This little slip-up of the "subsistence department is a high-flavored (not with salt) joke. One of the best departments in our army organization—with a gentleman and a soldier at his head—may he live a thousand years, and be embalmed when he dies—with gentlemen filling its grades. This subsistence department of our army, always ready, always prompt, obliging and kind beyond what we could reasonably expect if we did net know it, seems to have thought that sending salt to Salt Lake City was like "sending coals to Newcastle," and sent only what was thought sufficient to carry us to the festering city, but it sent salt kettles to manufacture the article when we should get there, never anticipating the blundering operations which have resulted in anchoring us here, a little more than a hundred miles from the briny waters. It is so seldom the department is caught napping, that we can hardly ever find cause for being querulous with it, but this joke is magnificent; we have "got" the de-partment very "low," and most of us would rather do without the salt than the joke. That salty joke will never "lose its savor"—it will always be fresh. Again, in this salty or saltless connection; some days ago several persons (Mormons) arrrived in camp, having some pack animals laden with sacks of salt. They came from BRIGHAM YOUNG, and brought an impudent letter from him to Col. JOHN-STON. It would seem the old traitor had learned that we were out of that generally considered necessary article salt, (no longer a necessity with us,) and seized the opportunity to smuggle spies into camp. I can give him credit for being actu-ated by no other motive. The substance of his letter I have heard, as regards the salt, was that it might be received as a gift, or paid for, at the op-tion of Col. JOHNSTON. Well, what do you suppose the Colonel did with it? You will guess, of course. He rejected it with scorn, to his everlasting honor, be it said, and, I am informed, sent back a verbal message to Ex-Gov. YOUNG, in substance, that he could hold no correspondence with, and accept no courtesies from rebels and traitors. The men who brought the salt were ordered to take it back, and were told (and again I but state what I have heard in camp) by Col. JOHNSTON, that as they had come into his camp under a misapprehension of the true state of affairs, he would give them safe conduct beyond his outposts, but that here-after if they, or others of them, came into camp they must come under the protection of a flag, or he would hang them on the first tree they came to. I apprehend that when this is related to BRIG-HAM YOUNG, he will come to the conclusion that he is no longer dealing with an apple woman.

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THE ARMY IN UTAH.
Letter from an Army Officer not at all De-spendent
From the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser.
The following spicily written letter from an officer of the army of Utah, runs in a more cheerful vein than we had anticipated from the dolorous accounts reaching us less directly. It gives a better idea of the real condition of the army than many more elaborate accounts, simply because it is writ-ten to a dear friend, with an entire freedom of com ment on men and things. We are reluctantly compelled to suppress some remarks concerning Colonel ALEXANDER, which, as the letter was not intended for publication, might involve a betrayal of the author's confidence on our part. It is suf-ficient to say that the opinion prevails at Fort Bridger, as well as here, that had Colonel JOHN-STON held the command of the advance column, it would have wintered in Salt Lake City.
CAMP SCOTT, (near Fort Bridger,) U. T.,
Thursday, Dec. 10,1857.
I should not wonder if you should see in the pa-pers, before two months, letters calculated to pro-duce the impression that this Army is in a suffer-ing condition. Let me tell you beforehand that such is not the truth, and that the prospect is very flattering that it will not be the case; but that when the Winter campaign is over, we shall find ourselves in one respect, and only one, like Mr. CLAY'S slaves—"fat and sleek." The supply of clothing, so far as I can learn, was only deficient in two articles—shoes and stockings. But this de-fect has been cured by the Quartermaster's pur-chasing the stock of the suttler, and that of one or two merchant trains, now here, which were freight-ed with goods for the Salt Lake trade. Col. JOHN-STON has laid an embargo on these trains; so that the enemy is likely to suffer some inconvenience, as well as we, in consequence of his deviltry. You will probably also see it stated that we are on short "grub." This can hardly be consid-ered a true presentment. The flour element of the ration has been reduced five ounces (leaving the daily allowance to each soul, as also to every person without a soul, and entitled to subsistence, thirteen ounces,) but the beef component was at the same time raised eight ounces, the other items remaining as heretofore. This reminds me of a little matter it is as well to mention. We have had no salt for a month or more, so that as regards that item of the ration, "heretofore" must be con- sidered inapplicable. But most of us don't miss it much now. It is well enough, used in modera-tion, when we can get it; but not being able to get it, at this present, for a reasonable price, we have made up our minds that we can do without until we go in to Salt Lake City, which will be be-fore we can receive supplies from home. And we have also arrived at the conclusion that "to do without salt" is one of the things for which we cov-enanted when we undertook the expedition. Doubt-less the reopening of the campaign will find us fresh and vigorous. This little slip-up of the "subsistence department is a high-flavored (not with salt) joke. One of the best departments in our army organization—with a gentleman and a soldier at his head—may he live a thousand years, and be embalmed when he dies—with gentlemen filling its grades. This subsistence department of our army, always ready, always prompt, obliging and kind beyond what we could reasonably expect if we did net know it, seems to have thought that sending salt to Salt Lake City was like "sending coals to Newcastle," and sent only what was thought sufficient to carry us to the festering city, but it sent salt kettles to manufacture the article when we should get there, never anticipating the blundering operations which have resulted in anchoring us here, a little more than a hundred miles from the briny waters. It is so seldom the department is caught napping, that we can hardly ever find cause for being querulous with it, but this joke is magnificent; we have "got" the de-partment very "low," and most of us would rather do without the salt than the joke. That salty joke will never "lose its savor"—it will always be fresh. Again, in this salty or saltless connection; some days ago several persons (Mormons) arrrived in camp, having some pack animals laden with sacks of salt. They came from BRIGHAM YOUNG, and brought an impudent letter from him to Col. JOHN-STON. It would seem the old traitor had learned that we were out of that generally considered necessary article salt, (no longer a necessity with us,) and seized the opportunity to smuggle spies into camp. I can give him credit for being actu-ated by no other motive. The substance of his letter I have heard, as regards the salt, was that it might be received as a gift, or paid for, at the op-tion of Col. JOHNSTON. Well, what do you suppose the Colonel did with it? You will guess, of course. He rejected it with scorn, to his everlasting honor, be it said, and, I am informed, sent back a verbal message to Ex-Gov. YOUNG, in substance, that he could hold no correspondence with, and accept no courtesies from rebels and traitors. The men who brought the salt were ordered to take it back, and were told (and again I but state what I have heard in camp) by Col. JOHNSTON, that as they had come into his camp under a misapprehension of the true state of affairs, he would give them safe conduct beyond his outposts, but that here-after if they, or others of them, came into camp they must come under the protection of a flag, or he would hang them on the first tree they came to. I apprehend that when this is related to BRIG-HAM YOUNG, he will come to the conclusion that he is no longer dealing with an apple woman.